Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1887-11-25
EjRE-COMPANY MATTERS AGAIN,

FIHG SOWfRNr WAL ENC FNSRiNs
Editor Register The hired writer in
the last REGISTER, who styles himself a
Young Fireman." shows some ear
marks of legal quibbing in the first part
of his pretended answer to "Old Fire
mans" article in relation to the ages of
the members of the present fire company.
But perhaps the argument was as good
as the pay he got for writing it.
We said "Washington Engine Co. was
organized more than forty years ago."
but we did not say that any member was
now living who belonged to the company
at that time, or who joined it some years
afterwards.
"Young Fireman" says, ave recall sew
eral instances where young, able-bodied
men, who having joined and found them
selves in a company whose members
were good able-bodied men forty years
ago, but now, many of them infirm, Grip
pied and unfit for duty (some of them
drawing pensions from the L. 5. govern
menD have gradually dropped out"
Yes, some did "drop outs" some be-
cause their services were not wanted any
longer in the company; some because it
interfered with their business; some be-
cause they could not stir up discord and
remain in the company.
The slur that is attempted to be cast
upon the company by the writer styling
himself "Young Fireman" for having a
few veteran soldiers in their ranks-men
who know what hardships are, men who
perilled their lives that such men as lived
at home in safety and ease never dreamed
of. If to be a soldier is an objection, the
list presented by "Young Fireman" is
perfectly clear of any one who fought to
save their country or their homes-the
list not containing one of that obnoxious
class.
Now we will say that out of this old
company of aged men and soldier Grip
pies, who are so troubled with "rheuma-
tism' and other diseases and ills, not
more than one or two exceeds the age of
fifty years. Every man with any prac
teal common sense knows that men who
have been connected with a fire company
from five to fifteen years are better able
to do efficient service in a fire than set
of young, inexperienced BOYS. who have
never soiled their clothes or their hands
by hard work upon the brakes to put out
a burning building. When the village is
in flames do you find that class voun-
teering to aid npon the brakes? No, it is
the older men that take hold and try to
stop the burning by hard and steady
work upon the brakes.
The young Fireman " says the dis
missed members concluded to return to
the company out of courtesy to their
foreman. until his time expired. What
generous feeling must have come over
them. How ungenerous and hard heart
ed must have been the captain and all
the company not to have spoken a sin
gle word in their favor at this trying
time. TO those who said that they had
been deceived, and did not understand
the game played upon them, a brotherly
hand was extended to them, and they
were received back cordially. But to
others dismissal.
As "Young Fireman parades set of
names and claims for them superior cour-
age, activity, deficiency" and reliability.
and not rheumatic" nor old. we append
II few names in his list who formerly be-
longed to the present company, and give
the reason as far as we know for their
withdrawal OF dismissal.
G.. A. Piper said the duties interfered
with his business.
Frank Stone was dismissed unanimous
ly. 1t is said that one reason why he
left the company was that some of the
members drank to much whiskey.
ID. j. Calvin joined the company, atten-
ded one meeting. and was absent until
his fines amounted to more than his sal
ary. and was dismissed.
w. F. Tulley joined the company, atten-
ded the meetings once or twice. and after
one or two months absence was dismiss
ed
f. A. Daniels was dismissed by his
request-came to the next regular meet
N nd asl- al tf, ha tat al hpt
rejected.
Henry Daniels asked to be dismissed
and his request was granted, and at the
next regular meeting his name was on
the list asking to be reinstated The vote
was taken and he was elected by one ma
jority.
NJ. O'Connor dismissed by his request.
Geo. Langworthy, Jr., dismissed by
his own request. No reason given.
OLD FIREMAN.